Yar’Adua may not return this year - He ’ll return soon –Ogbulafor insists - Only prayer can save Yar’Adua – Anenih - PDP prays for him - President won’t resign – FEC - Call for Yar’Adua’s resignation, premature - Oshiomhole
From Tinu Ayanniyi, Okey Muogbo, Leon Usigbe, Taiwo Adisa and Kola Oyelere
Thursday, December 3, 2009

AILING Umaru Yar’Adua, who is said to be seriously considering stepping down as president because of his health, may not return to the country for the business of governance sooner than expected.





http://odili.net/news/source/2009/dec/3/606.html
What further fuelled the belief that President Yar’Adua may not return soon to the country is his failure to return to the country on Wednesday, as earlier announced by his aides.

Another reason, it was learnt, is that most of the top officials of government, who travelled to Saudi Arabia to visit him in the hospital, could not see him, as he was said to be in intensive care and could not be moved or made to embark on a long journey in his condition.

Members of his kitchen cabinet are said to be strategising on the decisive action to take, as the situation suggests that the president may not be back until early next year.

It was learnt that his kitchen cabinet is finding the management of the situation to be a great challenge.

The family and associates are also said to be very worried over the clamour for the resignation of the president.

In view of this, the kitchen cabinet is plotting to bring the president back to the country, in spite of his ill health, to defuse the tension and get him back quietly to the Saudi hospital. It was learnt that some of them are, however, against this plot on the grounds that he is not strong enough to travel.

The Northern establishment is also said to be worried about the implications of President Yar’Adua’s health for the image of the zone. Many in the establishment, it was gathered, see it a big image problem and are ready to do their ‘best’ to solve it.

Some Nigerians clamouring for his resignation believe that it is the right thing to do. A professor of political science in one of the country’s ivory towers pointed out that if the situation was not as bad, the president would have been made to appear on television and speak to Nigerians or his ministers at the Federal Executive Council meeting from his hospital bed, just as the president of the United States of America did when he could not attend a major function. The don also recalled that the president spoke through former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the rumour of his death, during the campaigns that brought him to power in 2007.

On the declaration that the president did not have to resign by the FEC, the political scientist said “what do Nigerians expect them to say? They appreciate that if the president throws in the towel, they are also gone, since he appointed them. Do we expect them to commit political suicide?”

Meanwhile, political bigwigs, up till Wednesday, were still going round, holding strategic meetings so that they would not lose out should the president eventually decide to throw in the towel.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, yesterday reiterated that the president would return to the country soon.

He also clarified that most of the 54 prominent politicians credited to have called on the president to resign had dissociated themselves from the statement widely published on Wednesday.

The chairman, who spoke before the commencement of a prayer session organised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party at the Wadata Plaza, Abuja headquarters of the party on Wednesday, for the quick recovery of the ailing president, stated that the latest information available to the party leadership indicated that his condition had improved significantly and he would soon return to the country.

He said: “I want to announce again that the news reaching us this morning is that the president is recovering and will soon join us. We have to thank God for His infinite mercies. And that is why we are here.”

According to him, “as we are hearing, the president is quickly recovering and we hope that he will be back to join us. And, therefore, we call on all Nigerians to pray for the president to recover quickly and those of us who are members of the party will also pray fervently for the quick recovery of the president.”

The party chairman remarked that the NWC members decided unanimously to turn its normal Wednesday meeting into a healing prayer session for President Yar’Adua, even as he observed that they were not surprised that the president had taken ill just like every other mortal.

Prince Ogbulafor, however, regretted the interpretations that had been given to the president’s medical trip, which, he said, were alarming and sad, noting, particularly, Wednesday’s publication in which 54 prominent Nigerians were said to have called for the immediate resignation of the president because of his poor state of health.

He said that the PDP had made contact with most of the people listed in the reports and they had denied knowledge of the statement credited to them.

Prince Ogbulafor blasted the opposition who, he said, wished President Yar’Adua dead, recalling that many of those who announced the death of the first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, died before him.

During the prayer session, each member of the NWC offered prayers for the speedy recovery of President Yar’Adua to enable him to return and complete his mandate.

In his contribution, the national publicity secretary of the party, Professor Rufai Alkali, said many of the purported 54 signatories to the document calling for the president’s resignation had denied ever having knowledge of the statement.

According to him, “since morning, we have been calling each and everyone of them to confirm from those we know if they are aware if there is something like this. They have denied that they put their names.”

Meanwhile, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has advised politicians against politicising the illness of President Yar’Adua, as it could be counter-productive to the the interest of the country.

According to the national publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the party wanted Nigerians to exercise restraint.

He noted that inasmuch as the well-being of Yar’Adua was critical to the functioning of governance in the country, politicising it would not be in its best interest.

Also, the former chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, on Wednesday, said only the prayers of Nigerians were needed at this time to see President Yar’Adua out of his health problem.

Chief Anenih, in a statement he made public in Abuja, said Nigerians should rally round the president at this time with prayers, adding that rumour mongering and undue politicisation of the matter could only be ungodly.

The Senate, through its spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, also said the National Assembly would not send a team to ascertain the state of health of the president in Saudi Arabia.

Senator Eze said it was not the business of the Senate to determine the state of health of the president.

Meanwhle, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, said it would not start the process of removing President Yar’Adua from office on health grounds as was being demanded by some people.

The council meeting, presided over by Vice-President Godluck Jonathan, noted that there was no basis for call for the resignation of Yar’Adua since, according to it, the president had not been found incapable of discharging his functions on the grounds of ill-health.

FEC also argued that the Federal Government and all its organs were fully functional in the absence of Yar’Adua, saying that government would continue to deliver on its responsibilities.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, flanked by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa; Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Finance Minister, Dr. Mansur Muhtar and Minister of State, Information and Communications, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, had, after the meeting, told reporters that “the Federal Executive Council, at its 46th meeting held today, took notice of calls by some people for the invocation of the provisions of Section 144 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the president to resign his appointment on the grounds of ill-health.”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale, who spoke immediately after Akunyili, assured Nigerians that the government was, indeed, working and was in good shape, adding that “first of all, you will recall that the president departed to Saudi Arabia for medical check-up and consequently a release was made on the nature of the ailment.

“We are talking about nine days since the departure. Since then, we have convened two council (FEC) meetings; one last week and today (yesterday). Apart from these, every other aspect of governmental activity is being conducted well. And the vice-president, as usual, is in charge. On issues that would require Mr. President’s express approval, contacts are being made and such approvals do come.

“We would like to say that most Nigerians have really given us the kind of encouragement we require.

“A great majority, which we appreciate, have been calling us and praying for the president’s quick recovery. In a very democratic setting such as ours, the president and, indeed, the whole of the council members, are committed to the rule of law and constitutionality. We expect that a few would like to be in a hurry to stampede this council into doing things which they know is not practicable.

“We will like to assure every Nigerian that the FEC, as it is constituted, is a highly responsible, patriotic organ, and that since we are a creation of the constitution, we will not shy away from our responsibilities, and if it is in the wisdom of the executive council, we don’t need anybody to remind us because we are responsible enough.

“As a matter of fact, presently, there is no basis, and, in fact, revealing exactly the nature of the ailment shows our transparency and sincerity, it also shows that we are all committed. We would not, therefore, be intimidated into doing things which are uncalled for. Right now, everything is going on normally.”

Alhaji Yayale, during the question and answer session, added that President Yar’Adua “is responding well to treatment. And we are in touch with him.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has decried calls for the resignation of President Yar’Adua, arguing that it was premature to be talking about succession for someone who was alive.

In a statement in Benin City, the governor, who commended the Senate for shooting down the motion on the health of the president, said what Nigerians needed to do was to pray for the quick recovery and good health of the president, who is receiving treatment in a Saudi Arabian hospital.

While enjoining Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper, the governor warned that people should desist from playing God with a matter as delicate as the health of the number one citizen of the country.

Also, the national vice chairman of the PDP, North-West zone, Dr. Danladi Sankara, has said no amount of blackmail will make President Yar’Adua to succumb to the clamour for his resignation.

Sankara also decried a purported statement that some people were mounting pressure on the vice-president to resign, adding that such a move was borne out of a selfish motivation.

He said the president would not relinquish office or tender any letter of resignation on account of his illness for which he is currently receiving medical treatment abroad.
http://odili.net/news/source/2009/dec/3/606.html

Time for Becomerich to stage his coup.

Who gives a rat's a$s when he'll return as long as he gets better. He may not return this month so whats the difference? . . . those tramp-a$s slutty journalists just want to make a nuclear bomb outta fireworks.

MUZBO:

Who gives a rat's a$s when he'll return as long as he gets better. He may not return this month so whats the difference? . . . those tramp-a$s slutty journalists just want to make a nuclear bomb outta fireworks.

Without making any attempt to trivialize the issue, we should all care. The president's health is our concern, and the longer he stays outside, the more dangerous it becomes. His aides are not helping matters with the half-truths they dole out daily. All is not well with governance in this country (it has never been). The situation has already thrown the country into confusion. It's obvious that the president is critically ill and cannot cope with the demands of his office.

Now i see why the America presidential seat is not Vacant for one day!
     Even outside the Country, he is still being felt, because the Press are always there, and issue bothering on his county is always most likely discussed lightly or heavily.
  Over here, the reverse is the case, for close to 10 day i have not seen or heard a word from the president, yet we sit and fold our arms, as if nothing as happened.
it is very pathetic to say the least.

I think[b] prof. Dora should resign[/b] for lack of information, at a time we need information the most, we can't get any

pcicero:

Without making any attempt to trivialize the issue, we should all care. The president's health is our concern, and the longer he stays outside, the more dangerous it becomes. His aides are not helping matters with the half-truths they dole out daily. All is not well with governance in this country (it has never been). The situation has already thrown the country into confusion. It's obvious that the president is critically ill and cannot cope with the demands of his office.

You getting me wrong. We are all definately worried Mr President is indisposed but the reporting should be done with caution to avoid mass panic. E.g what proof did they get to say he'll be outside the country till next year- None! We need to thread softly at this time.

pcicero:

Without making any attempt to trivialize the issue, we should all care. The president's health is our concern, and the longer he stays outside, the more dangerous it becomes. His aides are not helping matters with the half-truths they dole out daily. All is not well with governance in this country (it has never been). The situation has already thrown the country into confusion. It's obvious that the president is critically ill and cannot cope with the demands of his office.

You getting me wrong. We are all definately worried Mr President is indisposed but the reporting should be done with caution to avoid mass panic. E.g what proof did they get to say he'll be outside the country till next year- None! We need to thread softly at this time.

kosovo:

Now i see why the America presidential seat is not Vacant for one day!
Even outside the Country, he is still being felt, because the Press are always there, and issue bothering on his county is always most likely discussed lightly or heavily.
Over here, the reverse is the case, for close to 10 day i have not seen or heard a word from the president, yet we sit and fold our arms, as if nothing as happened.
it is very pathetic to say the least.

I think[b] prof. Dora should resign[/b] for lack of information, at a time we need information the most, we can't get any

Lol . . . . . Why should Dora resign? The west is not involved in this so you are likely not to get anything from her.

Information reaching my desk says he may stay in Saudi till December 2010.

Aloy~Emeka:

Information reaching my desk says he may stay in Saudi till December 2010.

Which desk be that - is it the one at the pepper soup joint. lol

blacksta:

Which desk be that  - is it the one at the pepper soup joint.  lol

LWKMD

kosovo:

Now i see why the America presidential seat is not Vacant for one day!
     Even outside the Country, he is still being felt, because the Press are always there, and issue bothering on his county is always most likely discussed lightly or heavily.
  Over here, the reverse is the case, for close to 10 day i have not seen or heard a word from the president, yet we sit and fold our arms, as if nothing as happened.
it is very pathetic to say the least.
 
 I think[b] prof. Dora should resign[/b] for lack of information, at a time we need information the most, we can't get any

Funny how you are calling for the resignation of Dora whose office has little or no weight in Nigeria's development, but couldnt first call for the resignation of an indisposed, very sick and incompetent president. Ok ooo.

So that you should know, I have always thought that Dora should resign based on moral grounds, otherwise, she could pass for one of the best information ministers Nigeria has ever produced.

nuzo:

Funny how you are calling for the resignation of Dora whose office has little or no weight in Nigeria's development, but couldnt first call for the resignation of an indisposed, very sick and incompetent president. Ok ooo.

So that you should know, I have always thought that Dora should resign based on moral grounds, otherwise, she could pass for one of the best information ministers Nigeria has ever produced.

I think so too. I think Dora is in the wrong administration at the wrong time.

Me too, I am not coming till next years. if he has anything to discuss i would listen before I replace him as president,

416 904 5008

MUZBO:

We are all definately worried Mr President is indisposed .

Who's WE? 'Am not!

nuzo:

Funny how you are calling for the resignation of Dora whose office has little or no weight in Nigeria's development, but couldnt first call for the resignation of an indisposed, very sick and incompetent president. Ok ooo.

So that you should know, I have always thought that Dora should resign based on moral grounds, otherwise, she could pass for one of the best information ministers Nigeria has ever produced.

i wonder o, guy u make sense

Topic. . . .
Who cares. . . .

becomrich,:

Me too, I am not coming till next years. if he has anything to discuss i would listen before I replace him as president,

416 904 5008

Replace him as president of Nigeria or president of the new Benin republic?

whether or wethern't, one thing is sure - third term.
that which obj could not achieve, will be achieved by yar adua.
he is mearn to be so if he likes, let him return to nigeria, or he can stay there for easy accessment to hospitals and doctors which will be cheaper for us instead of boarding flights everyother day or if he likes, let him die but he must do the third term which we have reserved for him.
he is the last and only nigerian man standing.